#I’d say it could work for Crocodile too but

[quinloki]

That twisted villain kind of love where he’s already decided you’re his, and you just need to accept that.

The kind of love where he grabs you by the back of your neck and shoves his tongue down your throat, reveling in the sounds you’re making even if you wanted to stay quiet.

It doesn’t matter that you’re choking and protesting, the flush on your face and the gasp for air when he leans back is all he’s looking for. You can spit on his face and he’ll lick it off before pulling you into another invasive kiss.

You can scratch and beat on him the entire time, please do struggle against the inevitable. He’ll dine on your resistance and acquiescence in equal measure. There’s so little space between Monster and Master, but he’ll push you over that line in time.

[txjis]

thinking abt toji with a crybaby gf a little extra rn

no one can tell me this man isn’t into the ‘soft’ type. i’m not even trying to project. but i full heartedly believe that he likes the soft girls that have some attitude to them.

cw: MDNI , fem!reader , toji kinda toxic n icky , mention of periods , fake crying , that’s abt it i think.

imagine he’s just spoiled you absolutely rotten, you can count on one hand the amount of times he’s told you “no.” and actually stood his ground on the statement. how could he not give into you? your his sweet little baby, he can’t stand the pout on your face.

but god, when you break out the waterworks?? you could probably have this man doing whatever the fuck you wanted. you knew this too, and you didn’t want him to get used to seeing you cry and whine. so you saved this little trick you’ve learned until there’s something you reaallyyy want, and IF he says no. you know it won’t stay a no.

“c’mon baby, you know i’m saying no because it’s gonna make your stomach hurt.” toji looked over at you, bottom lip jutting out after he just rudely told you no to going back through the drive through to get another ice cream cone after you just practically inhaled yours. and sure, maybe it was immature to cry over ice cream, but you could tell your period was close, you needed that fucking ice cream before you ripped his head off.

“so mean toji.” your lip wobbling a bit while you willed your eyes to start misting over with water. you slammed both of your legs against the passenger side door, shrinking away from him while you sniffled and crossed your arms over your chest. it was dramatic, and you were fully aware of that. but who cares you were his special girl, no one else mattered.

“don’t be like that-“ toji reached out towards your legs, originally trying to place a strong hand on your thigh. he had to lean over the center console the way you tucked yourself against the door so tight. but just before he made contact, you slapped his hand away, turning to glare at him with crocodile tears streaming down your cheeks. “..fuckin’ fine. same flavor?”

you nod as he pulls around to go back through the drive through, he grunts and hands you the cone full of the sweet treat you had just cried over. you take it from him, continuing the pouty act for a few moments until you genuinely start to miss his touch. riding in his car doesn’t feel normal when his hand isn’t in your lap.

toji smirks to himself watching your legs shift closer to him once again through the peaks he was stealing of you occasionally. he places his hand on your thigh and gives it a small squeeze, mumbling a ‘love ya.’

god, he can’t wait until the day he actually wants to tell you no. he can’t wait until he can tell you that he knows what your little ‘trick’ is and how it’s never really worked on him. he can see right through your little head. he wants to watch you stumble over your words and try to explain yourself to him, break you down until you’re begging for his forgiveness. that’s when the real tears come out.

I SAID TOJI LIKES SOFT CRYBABY GIRLS BUT I DIDNT SAY IT WAS FOR A HEALTHY REASON :3 he likes to break them u can’t tell me otherwise

i’d still fuck him icl.

[marlynnofmany]

The Good Perch

“You would think,” Captain Sunlight said drily, “That a spaceport organized enough to have a whole section for courier ships would have a more visible labeling system.”

“Yeah, really,” I agreed with a frown at the small sign marking our ship’s berth. The thing was barely ankle-height and a thin font. Not even a bright color; it hardly stood out from the pavement in its gray-and-black subtlety. With all the spacefarers parading past in a rainbow of body types and clothing styles, not to mention the equally wild spaceships everywhere, those signs were easy to miss. I asked the captain, “Have you been here before? Is this normal, or did the wrong person take charge of designing things?”

“It’s been a while,” said Captain Sunlight, crossing her scaly arms. “I don’t recall this being a problem before. But I suspect our wayward client is still wandering the walkways looking for us.”

“Normally I’d say our ship would stand out, but the visibility’s not great for that either.” Lemon-shaped spaceships with foldable solar sails were pretty uncommon. The one parked behind us would have been easy to spot from a distance if not for the larger ships looming close on either side. These berths were too close together.

Captain Sunlight pulled her phone out of a belt pouch. “Still says they’re on the way.”

“Maybe we need to scoot forward a bit?” I suggested. “Make the ship easier to see?” I stepped up to the walkway for a better look at the view from there.

This turned out to give someone else a better view of me.

“Hey, person who climbs things!” called a cheerful voice. “Come help me brace this.”

After a confused half-second, I located the speaker on top of the gray-brown ship next to ours. I realized with a start that this wasn’t the first time our ships had been parked side-by-side. “Hey, Acorn!” I called back. “Are you waiting for clients too?”

“We were,” the fellow courier called back, waving something that looked like a wrench. She herself still looked like a baboon crossed with a crocodile. “Now it’s time for errands and maintenance, and this needs fixing before we get back into space. Care to give me a hand? Everybody else is either busy or too much of a coward to get up this high.”

“Sure thing!” I said with a glance at Captain Sunlight, who was waving me on. “What’s the best way up?”

Acorn directed me to a row of handholds on the other side of the ship, which made for a nice easy climb. A pity her crewmates didn’t appreciate heights; the spaceport was a beautiful, chaotic sprawl of color from here. And the top of the ship was flat enough to feel plenty safe.

“Welcome to the good perch,” Acorn said, offering me a wrench. “It’s a very exclusive club. Can you hold this part in place so I can adjust that?”

“Absolutely,” I told her. “This end, right? Wait, got it.” I actually had no idea what this open panel was for, but I like to think I hid it well. The job was a simple one with two of us. I could see how it would have been awkward with just one, though. I wondered if she’d resorted to using her feet to hold things in place. I sure would have.

“Got it!” she said. “Now to close it all up. I knew that would be quick.”

I removed the wrench. “What’s the saying? More hands means less work?”

“Makes sense to me. Though by that logic, your friend there could get everything done by himself.”

I looked down to see that Mur had joined Captain Sunlight, in all his many-tentacled squidlike glory. “He probably could, actually. Though I don’t know how he is with heights.”

“Well, no need to share the good perch,” Acorn announced, snapping the panel shut. She spread her arms. “Look at this panorama!”

“It is a nice one! I was just thinking that. What kind of ship is that blobby green one over there? I haven’t seen it before.”

Acorn stood up for a better look. “I think it’s a Waterwill design?”

“That makes sense.” I got to my feet too, glad the ship we stood on wasn’t one of the shiny racer models. Those were much too slippery to make good sightseeing towers.

Not that Acorn seemed bothered either way. She probably would have found grippy shoes somewhere and run up the side just to prove she could. Her appreciation for climbing had been a nice change the first time I ran into her, and was no different now, given how much time I spent among alien crewmates who didn’t have tree-swinging monkeys in their family trees.

“That ship looks like it would make an excellent climbing structure,” she said, pointing at a pink model with grooves along the sides. “Pity it belongs to a security force who are likely to be uptight about such things.”

I laughed. “Isn’t that always the way of it? There’s a police station in my hometown with a roof that slopes down to meet a very climbable wall, and you have no idea how tempting it looked. Well. Maybe you know.”

She definitely understood, and we spent an enjoyable few minutes talking about which buildings and spaceships looked like the most fun to climb.

Then I spotted someone wandering from one berth marker to the next, looking both lost and a little nearsighted, and I had a suspicion that I’d found our missing client. This was a fellow human wearing the kind of drapey clothes that spoke of dignity and no little wealth. Her expression was exactly the kind I’d wear if I had to deal with those hard-to-read signs long enough to be late.

“Hey Captain!” I called down to Sunlight. “Is that her?” I pointed.

Captain Sunlight hurried forward with her phone out, matching the look of the person with an image there.

Yup. Called it.

Acorn chuckled while the pair of them exchanged greetings and complaints about the station layout. “Nice one. The wisdom of the heights strikes again. Do they need you down there now?”

“Probably,” I said. “Actually not yet, this package is a small one. Mur’s got it.” As I spoke, Mur pushed a hovercart forward with a box on it liberally covered in “fragile” stickers. It had a carrying handle on the top, which it had come with, and rubber bumpers on every corner, which Paint had added just to be safe. All precautions had been taken.

“Oh good,” Acorn said. “Then enjoy the view with me a little longer.” She bent to pull something from the toolbag’s side pocket. “Top-of-the-tree snack?”

“Are those the ones you’re named for?” I asked, remembering a conversation the last time I’d seen her. Translations being what they were, her name meant a similar nut from her homeworld. It had been an amusing conversation, since we were both named after things found in trees. She didn’t know what a robin was, but once I explained it, she claimed to have met a number of people back home with similar names.

“Yes, the salted version,” Acorn said, opening the bag. “I recall these were on the safe list for your species.”

“Safe and tasty,” I agreed. “Thank you.” I accepted a handful of alien acorns and marveled quietly at how universal salt was on snacks. Well, for some species. I don’t think Waterwills or Strongarms were that into overly salty food in general. Probably for slug-like reasons. Eggskin the medic would know. I should ask him later.

Acorn peered over the other side of the ship. “Ohh, Riverbrook’s wearing his goofy helmet. I owe him some acoustics since he played that loud music while I was working.” She crouched, peering down at a crewmate who had just emerged. With care, she selected a nut from the bag. “Think you can thwack him from here?” The grin she threw over her shoulder was full of teeth.

I joined her at the edge. “I like my odds.”

The crewmate was one of those people made of crystals instead of flesh. I forget the species name. Very interesting to look at, and unlikely to be hurt by a high velocity acorn no matter where it hit. The helmet was golden, shiny, and probably a fashion statement of some kind.

“First we throw, then we hide.”

“Got it.”

“One, two, throw!”

Ping! Ping!

“Ow, what was — Acorn, is this yours?!”

We both giggled in childlike glee, just out of sight.

“No thanks, you can have it!” Acorn called back.

“I’m going to put this in your fruit drink next mealtime.”

“Good luck with that!”

I nodded. “Ah, a prank war. A noble pursuit.”

“See, you get it.” Acorn offered me more nuts.

I took them and made myself more comfortable. “I don’t suppose you know what a rattlesnake is?”

“Nope.”

“Then let me tell you about the time I got Trrili — the big scary Mesmer on my ship — with a classic prank from Earth.”

“Oh, do tell!”

I didn’t have to get back to my ship for a few minutes yet, which left plenty of time for more anecdotes and snacks on the good perch.

~~~

The ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book. More to come! And I am currently drafting a sequel!

[ladykailitha]

Grief (A Friend Indeed) Part 1

Hello! Sorry it's been nothing but one-shots lately, but as I said in this post here I haven't abandoned anything, my life has just got a little crazy lately.

This was conceived because my sister's former mother-in-law passed away due to massive heart failure a week ago and I chose to write this story as a way with dealing it. I didn't know her well, but I did know her and that's enough I think to feel some grief at her passing. She was a year younger than my dad.

Summary: Eddie and Wayne have to go back to Kentucky when Eddie's grandmother (and Wayne and Al's mother) passes. Steve comes along when Eddie suggests that he would feel better if he came. Along the way they learn about each other's pasts and find out that they are each other's future.

***

Eddie walked into the Family Video and had to stop and gaze fondly at the sight before him. Steve was draped over the counter reading a magazine and steadfastly ignoring the bell above the door that announced his arrival.

He got up to the desk and greeted affectionately, “Hey, Stevie.”

Steve bolted straight up and ran his fingers through his hair. “Oh hi, Eds. I didn’t realize that it was you.”

Eddie smiled for the first time in days.

Steve grinned back. “You know, a boy could start to think you were avoiding him. You know, since I haven’t seen you around in days.”

Eddie winced, shoving his hands into his jean pockets. “Sorry, man. I had family stuff.”

Steve’s teasing grin slid off his face. “Shit. I’m sorry. That was a dick move.”

Eddie waved his hands. “No, no. There was no way for you to know. In fact, that’s why I’m here. To make sure you don’t think that I’m avoiding you. Because I wouldn’t. You see Wayne and I have to go back to Ashland for a funeral.”

Steve’s already contrite expression softened further. “Oh, Eds. That’s awful. Are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Eddie’s eyes welled up and before the first tear could fall, Steve was over that counter and wrapping him up in his arms.

“I’ve got you, Eds,” Steve murmured. “I’m here now.”

Eddie sobbed and sobbed as Steve just gently rubbed his back until he calmed down enough to talk.

“It’s Uncle Wayne’s mom, my grandma,” he explained, clutching Steve’s shirt like a life line. “She was just the sweetest old lady and now she’s gone. I’m going to miss her.”

“Oh, Eds,” Steve murmured. “I’m sorry. That must just be awful for you. If there is anything I can do, just let me know.”

Eddie chuckled into Steve’s work vest. “Too bad you can’t come with. I think I’d feel braver about seeing all Dad’s family again if you were there.”

Steve grabbed his biceps and pushed him back gently. “Done.”

Eddie stuttered and sputtered. “Stevie, no...”

Steve picked up the phone on the counter and dialed a number. “Stevie yes.”

And Eddie watched in awe horror as Steve’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears and he rubbed his nose.

“Keith?” Steve said, his voice rough as if he had been doing the crying. “Yeah, I just got a call from my mom. My grandmother has died and I have to go to Kentucky for the funeral.”

Eddie’s jaw dropped. He didn’t even know that Steve knew where Ashland was.

“Yeah, my mom is from Lexington,” Steve said with a wink at him. “A real southern belle. I’ve seen pictures of her debutante ball and everything.”

Eddie snorted, because of course she was.

“I would need at least a week,” Steve was saying. “With the reading of the will and all.”

Eddie scoffed. If there was a will, he very much doubted there would be anything as formal as a reading of the damn thing.

“Oh thank you so much,” Steve sniffled. “I’ll even call Robin and let her know about her needing to pick up a few shifts.”

And like that Steve had gotten the week off.

“And the award for best crocodile tears to get out of working goes to Steve Harrington!” Eddie said, waving his hands back and forth. “Holy shit, man, how did you do that?”

Steve snorted. “As any good actor will tell you in order to cry on command, you just need to think about something that makes you cry.”

Eddie frowned. “What did you think of?”

Steve just shrugged. “What time are you guys leaving?”

“Tomorrow, early,” he said. “But serious, dude, even after that stellar performance, you don’t really have to come. Take the week off. Enjoy life for a change.”

Steve shook his head. “I would just be at home worried about you. Don’t make me stay. Please. Not when you said you would feel better with me there.”

Eddie’s shoulders slumped as he gave in. “Of course I want you there, but I would be selfish to take you away from your family for so long. Robin, Dustin...the rest of the them all need you too.”

Steve sighed heavily. “You’re part of that family, Eds. And I’m not dumb enough to think that they aren’t going to make a run for it the second they’re able to. As they should. I have to live my own life and not be afraid to go places.”

Eddie threw his arms in the air. “I hate when you make sense.”

Steve grinned. “Now the only remaining question is which vehicle we’re taking, Wayne’s truck, your van, or my car?”

Eddie laughed. “God, Stevie. I am so glad you’re coming with me. I needed that. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Steve’s grin turned soft and fond. “Let’s hope you never have to find you.”

“Damn straight.”

*

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me,” Robin groused when Steve called her after Eddie left.

“What was I supposed to do when he asked?” Steve questioned, twirling the phone cord around his fingers. He leaned against the counter, keeping an eye on the door.

The last thing he needed was Keith finding out he fucked around after giving him the week off.

Robin scoffed. “Not go?” she questioned. “He obviously wasn’t serious about you coming with.”

"You know I would do the same for you," he said with a sigh. "For any of you. Plus his life has already been turned upside down enough, don't you think?"

Robin sighed. "I'm not really mad," she said. "It's just that this will be the longest we've been apart since the Russians under the mall."

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just think of it as a trial run for when you go to college."

"Yeah okay," she said resigned. "Just call me before you leave and again when you get there, okay?"

"Aye, aye, captain!" Steve said with a grin.

Robin giggled. "Shut up!" She paused for a moment. "I'll miss your stupid face, dingus."

“I’ll miss yours, too,” Steve said with a sigh. “I’ll call as often as I can okay?”

“You better.”

They talked a little bit longer until a customer came in and he had to hang up.

*

When he got home he started calling all the kids and packing for a week long trip. He wasn’t sure what he should bring in terms of clothes and ended up calling Eddie.

Eddie who laughed when he asked. “Just bring what you would normally wear this time of year.”

Steve chewed on his lip. “So I won’t get mercilessly teased about my preppy clothes?”

“Oh no, you will,” Eddie confirmed. “It’s just you don’t have to change yourself to fit in with a bunch of assholes who would make fun of you. Okay?”

Steve let out a slow breath and his anxiety went with it. He could handle that. Those assholes had never met a bitch like Steve Harrington before.

“Yeah, okay,” he said after a moment. “You and Wayne decide which vehicle we’re taking?”

“Yeah, he suggested we take his truck and your car,” Eddie said. “He knows he’s going to be taking a lot back and thinks your car will make it better than my van.”

“Sounds good,” Steve murmured, a little disappointed. “So who will you be riding with for the trip down?”

He could almost feel the grin from here. “With you, of course, darlin’.”

Steve laughed. “Yeah okay. What time do you need me at your house?”

There was a beat and then two before Eddie said, “I was thinking that you should spend the night so we could leave first thing in the morning.”

Steve’s heart sped up as his breath caught in his chest. “Yeah. Sure. That’s a good idea. I’ll show up at eight tonight, give myself a little bit more time to pack.”

“Sounds good,” Eddie replied. “Wayne suggested it because it’s a six hour drive and we want to leave as early as we can so it’s not too late when we get there.”

Steve felt a jumble of emotions at that statement. It was a relief that it was a practical reason, but at the same time it was a disappointment that it wasn’t Eddie’s idea.

He took a deep breath. “I hear that. I remember the trips to Lexington when I was kid before we started flying. They were a bitch.”

“It really surprises me that you have family in Kentucky. I don’t know why, a lot of people in Indiana do, it’s just...”

“Harringtons are so entrenched in Hawkins it’s weird to think we have connections outside of it?” Steve supplied.

Eddie laughed. “Yeah, that.”

“My parents met in college and I didn’t move to Hawkins until I was eight,” Steve said.

“Wait,” Eddie said. “No way. You aren’t a Hawkins native?”

Steve chuckled. “Nope. I’m more like you and Dustin then the Wheelers and the Byers. And the Sinclairs.”

“Huh,” Eddie said after a moment. “You certainly have hidden depths, my friend.”

“You have no idea,” Steve teased.

“Then I’ll just have to use this trip to dive deeper,” Eddie teased back.

“I have to pack, you dork,” Steve said fondly. “I’ll be over at eight.”

“See you then, Stevie.”

***

Part 2|Part 3|Part 4|Part 5|Part 6|Part 7|Part 8|Part 9|Part 10|Part 11|Part 12

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[ichangedmycornyahhname]

Spider-man!Hobie Brown x Reader

Side note: I did my best to keep reader gender neutral for everyone 🫶😍. Also made it more friendly than flirty. 😔 sorry y’all. (Basically more platonic, BUT if I make another I may make it romantic.)

Summary: Just reader and Hobie hopping dimensions and taking out bad guys.

Warnings: None? A little violence ig. Just reader and him bickering. Not proof read 🙁 I got lazy as hell.

“Yo Hob, where’s my mask at?” You asked as you watched yourself in the mirror. Your tooth brush sudsy with toothpaste as you quickly brushed at your teeth.

Crashing with Gwen and Hobie was certainly a risky decision to make, but with you always traversing the multi-verses you never stayed anywhere for too long. Which is why you were staying with the two. Well, staying with Hobie. Gwen was currently out on the hunt for a new anomaly, and you were eager to get to work with her.

“Didn’t you leave it on the couch?” He responded as he slipped his ripped leather jacket over his shoulders. The man was already geared up and ready to go. “I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking you.” You retorted with the roll of your eyes. You soon rinsed your mouth out with water and tossed your toothbrush into a cup. As you went to exit the bathroom, you took notice of the lack of toilet paper (courtesy of living with two other people), and sighed. “We need more toilet paper Hobie, we’ve already run out.”

He peeked his head throw the doorway, taking a glance at what you had mentioned and laughed. “Ain’t that something. We’ll buy some from a different universe, I’d rather not provide to this crappy economy. Now hurry it up mate, we’ve already got a mission.” You scoffed at his stubbornness as you headed towards the cluttered living area. Per-usual, it was a mess. But you didn’t have time for that now. You dug under piles of junk and gadgets until finally you got your hands on your mask. “Ew..” You grumbled as you stared at the ink stain on the side of your mask. Shooting a look towards Hobie, he only returned it with a grin before pulling his mask over his face.

“We’re cleaning this place up when we get back. Now let’s go.”

The two of you departed, a portal appearing in front of you. The dynamic shapes and colors had grown to be something of a norm to you, though you couldn’t say the same as you hopped through it and shot through the tunnel. It still managed to twist and turn your stomach up.

-

“I believe this is the place.” Hobie chimed as the two of you clung to a building side. “Ya think?” Hobie only chuckled at your sarcasm, having already grown quite used to it.

The evening sunset was almost as mesmerizing as the large mountain of houses. They followed along a road that spiraled all the way down to where they stood. It was like staring up at a giant version of the Aztec temples. “Sometimes I forget how different these universes can be. Alright Hobie, you know who we’re looking for so lead the way.”

He gave you a pat on the back before shooting out a web and pulling himself in the air. You could only smile at his playfulness and follow his movements, now swinging yourself towards the top of the mountain. The area was vibrant with warm colors, reds, blues, and green accenting the bright gold of the buildings. You’d been to plenty of universes, but none quite as beautiful as this. Smells of food, and seasonings flooded your nostrils, as well as the chattering of the busy streets. “Cool innit? Went here once with Gwendy, was a little preoccupied though.”

“With?” You questioned as you worked your way to the top of the mountain.

“This wild variant of the lizard. He was huge! More of a crocodile I’d say.” His enthusiastic attitude seemed to infect you, another smile creeping it’s way onto your face. “That sounds cool as hell. Yo is that who we’re looking for?” Your eyes widened as your spider sense raised your alert. Up ahead stood a large statue, though unlike usual statues, this one was moving. It worked at ripping a large jewel that stood at the very top of the mountain. Hobie, who had been swinging backwards, spun around, the lenses of his mask widening. Then they narrowed. He pulled his guitar from over his shoulder, holding it in one hand as he swung himself towards the golden statue. “Taking that as a yes.”

You webbed the side of two buildings, tugging at the webbing and slingshotting yourself towards the chaos. “I’ll get its legs, you- do whatever. I know you don’t like to listen.” You huffed out.

“You know me so well, love.” He said as he went to taking out the giant. You went to do the same, now swinging your webs around the statues legs. While at first your idea was working, the giant seemed to have a mind of its own. It ripped the webbing in half, but in doing so lost its balance. It tumbled, falling backwards and heading straight for the edge of the cliff. You tried not to panic, and Hobie was now joining you in stopping the giants potential destruction of the golden city. You worked at making a canopy between two poles, the wide wall of webs ready to catch the giant in its grasp.

Hobie stood at the top of a building, webs shot out to slow the giants fall. He strained, pulling back at the web lines. And it worked. The giant was caught in their web.

The two of you met up, now standing in the orange dirt with a victorious look. Then you glanced at one another. “High five?”

Their hands met, the sound of victory ringing in their ears. “High five. Hell yeah Y/N!” His arm found its way around your shoulders, tugging you closer as he spouted jokes. However, you interrupted, “We still have to clean up when we get back.” Hobie’s jubilant expression turned unamused, and he sucked his teeth sighing at your seriousness.

“We really gotta loosen you up love. Now let’s get this guy back in his universe.” His thick accent made it difficult for you to comprehend at first, but once you did, you nodded. The two of you had completed your mission, unscathed, and with time to spare. You were certainly impressed with your efficient work.

[devilsrecreation]

More thoughts on TLG episodes

The Savannah Summit:

First things first, major kudos to Makuu for actually being responsible and caring about what’s best for his float

You really can’t blame Kion and everyone else to be super skeptical about Makuu. I know he changed for the better, but he’s done…a lot since he beat Pua

“but to invite him to the Savannah Summit? With all these other peaceful animals?”—I hate to break it to you, Kion, but just bc an animal is an herbivore doesn’t mean they’re peaceful and friendly. If anything, it means survivor

Crocs at the Summit worked with Pua cuz everybody loves him 😎

“Makuu has more enemies than friends!”—So does Bunga lmao

The song is great. I love how everyone seems annoyed at first but near the end, it’s all 🎶Kumbaya, my lord! 🎶. Except Makuu…dude looks like he’s lowkey regretting his life choices he did NOT ask for a bs song

I’m totally on Makuu’s side. He was genuinely trying to be civil here, especially when it comes to Bupu

At least Beshte was trying to be the mediator cuz he looks at Makuu AND Bupu, Kion was just being kinda speciesist

Shut up, Bupu, you started the whole thing

Vuruga Vuruga saying “buffalo eat whatever we want” is actually pretty accurate. They, like other animals, don’t care. I read that buffalo will occasionally eat insects if it were an option. Even Twiga could sucking on a bone if she wanted to. Seriously, look it up

If Zazu had a nickel for every time a rhino used him as a chair, he’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice (great nod to the OG movie)

Rafiki is such a mood “not the official painting” you old ass gremlin/aff

I remember Athena P criticizing Simba for blaming Kion about ruining the Summit after Makuu understandably leaves and I agree. Wtf Simba he’s 10. Go easy on him, come on 😭

The part that irks me the most is that when Mufasa asks “What has Makuu done to make you think this way?”, Kion says “Nothing, really”. BRO WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘NOTHING REALLY’?! I understand Mufasa meant what Makuu has done today but there are a LOT of things Makuu’s done in the past that Kion should have told his grandpa. In fact, here’s a whole list:

-Taking over Big Springs when he became leader, resulting in all the animals to scatter

-Challenging kids to fight

-Taking over the flood plains

-Trying to eat Basi which would have been just him being a crocodile if not for the fact that the reason is so he wouldn’t have to follow any rules (says so on the wiki)

-TAKING NALA HOSTAGE (seriously did Simba even KNOW about that? Did Nala or Kion bother to tell him?)

-Generally being a dick to animals

Makuu I know you did nothing wrong in this episode, but you can’t blame Kion for acting this way

I’m not placing any blame on Mtoto. He’s a good boy and all he did was tell the guard what he heard and that’s it

Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga coming up with the trap doesn’t surprise me. Cape buffalo are actually really vengeful irl so it makes sense how she wanted to teach Makuu a lesson. They ain’t called “Black Death” or “Widow Maker” for nothing

It’s cool how Makuu took the prank well. Respect.

Wonder how Makuu felt about animals fighting over him lmao?

Let Sleeping Crocs Lie

Once again this episode would be VERY different if my oc Piga was still alive

Kiburi has a right to be mad. I’m not excusing what he does later in the episode but I’d be pissed too if someone woke me up

Okay but Nduli sleeping next to Kiburi is adorable. Adds to my hc how close they are

Serious question: Why exactly can’t the crocs go back to sleep after they’ve been woken up? The obvious answer is bc it drives the plot forward, but is it true in actual crocodiles? I kinda wanna know the scientific reason

Good on Makuu for going the pacifism route. He’d really do anything for his float

Love how Kiburi was like “Yeah yeah, whatever you say” but the second Makuu left, he was like “ANARCHY!”

Idk if any of you caught this, but when Ushari’s like “we reptiles will rule the pridelands under your leadership, right?” Scar actually hesitated before going “sure bud”. That makes me think he was going to betray Ushari the moment he and his army get rid of Simba and the Lion Guard

Crocs really DO need a lot of water, otherwise their lives are on the line. Makuu was really more concerned than upset

“KIBURI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”—Fighting a child, what’s it look like

Side hc: I like to think something similar happened with Pua, Piga, and Kujivunia. Pua saw Piga antagonizing some poor young animal and he was all “Piga! What in the Pridelands do you think you’re doing?” and Kujivunia (who happened to be there), with her typical sarcasm was like “Performing a dance number, Pua 🙄”

There go the skinks again. Njano with his cuteness and Shupavu…doing her best Grinch face

“At least you’ll be close to all your friends!”Awww Beshte trying to be positive 🥺

Kiburi saying “we crocs deserve better!” brings me back to my hc that Kiburi had good intentions (again, until further in the episode), he just went about it the wrong way. He’s almost like an activist in a way. He’s not trying to be selfish, he just wanted a better watering hole. Now going as far as to rule the Pridelands…..yeah too far

The background crocodiles who were like 😦 when Kiburi called for the mashindano are so me. I’m the one going “Ooooooh shit!”

Still not getting over that super gay conversation between Kiburi and Ushari

STILL CAN’T GET OVER HOW KIBURI AND HIS FLOAT LAUGH AAAAA (Neema’s laugh tho)

Nduli looks so derpy I love him

I LOVE HOW SELF-AWARE TAMKA IS WHAT AN ICON

Lmao Nduli just gave up like “Fuck it you win”

Love the parallels of Makuu pinning down Kiburi like he did to Pua

Kiburi, I love you but what the hell did you expect? You literally confessed to like 500 animals about your plan and then you get surprised when Simba and Makuu banish you? What did you think was gonna happen? You got way too cocky, I swear

Saying this again, Tamka and Nduli looked worried/traumatized when they were exiled

“Now you’re calling me a reptile?”—My love, you ARE a reptile. I thought crocodiles were supposed to be smart omg

Kiburi’s actually showing emotion for the first time

OMG JANJA HEY BABY HOW ARE YOU?

Full disclosure: “I have a plan” is mediocre at best. It has nothing on Be Prepared. That being said, I love Kiburi’s “Aiight I’m in” smile

That’s pretty much it. Maybe I’ll do more in the future

[qiribov]

I’m sorry people keep comparing your AU to other AUs without giving anything else to go on! Just saying your work seems like someone else’s but then not explaining why or how would just feel like they’re not appreciating your work for its own creativity. :(

Every AU, even ones that come from a common base idea, are unique because they come from different people! In this case, the only AU I know of currently that’s even remotely like yours is still different because they made their NRC boys magical creatures and their medium is drabble fanfiction. Your AU is art based!

And your artwork is SO CUTE????? The art style you have just gives me the vibes of a watercolor painting… if that makes any sense at all??? I know you’re using a paper and pencil but I see your drawings and they just feel watercolor to me.

And I love that so much. They’re so soft and flowy and squishy and I just wanna hug them! 💜

For your AU, may I ask for a written list of what animals the guys are? I’m pretty sure I can figure most of them out by the reference picture you provided and by popular fanon choices, but I’d still like to confirm if that’s okay?

Plus, I can be dumb sometimes. 😅 So, having an official list made by the creator would be helpful! 😊

You said in your post you were upset with people mentioning comparable AUs without even linking them, so the AU I was talking about up there that is writing based is the house pet au by @/twst-drabbles. I hope this ask didn’t stress you out! It’s definitely not my intention!

I literally melted while reading this so sweetly.

I'm a bad yapper, but I'll try.

Riddle Hedgehog. because of the thorns he is wearing a jacket not a regular shirt or t-shirt

Ace Fennec. Just fennec. I don't want to explain it.

Deuce Blue Wolfhound. i like to think he used to be pretty aggressive in this au before too.

Trey Panda. he's just big and soft. but doesn't really like to be stroked too much.

Cater the Red Panda. they are just cute red and love attention not sure what to add

I didn't change Savanaclaw and Octavinelle animals so I'll skip them.

All the Octavinelle members live in a big pool that has an indoor entrance. i think Crowley just gave them the pool because he was too lazy to do the aquarium.

Jamil Rattlesnake. i didn't want to think too much about a particular subspecies of snake ok .;) he sleeps in the terrarium most of the time

Kalim Sea otter. his favorite toy is plastic colored shells. in fact he can steal anything that looks like a shell.

Vil Peacock. In fact, I've been thinking for a very long time about what else Vil could be besides a peacock and I haven't come up with anything. actually I'm not complaining. Sometimes he dives off the perch on Grim because he acts like an ass.

Rook the poodle. He's so abnormally hyperactive and the worst part is he's quiet.

Epel grizzly.

Idia and Ortho still cause arguments in my head they are the only ones I haven't drawn. Idk Idia could be a greyhound????

Malleus the dragon. in my head he just likes gargoyles and ice cream and strides with the sound of SpongeBob.

Lilia the bat. He's so affectionate and likes to brush his fur.

Silver Ferret. I knew he had to be a ferret when I saw all those videos where they are VERY hard to wake up.

Sebek the crocodile. he's so noisy and likes to stomp his feet and tail.

[violetlunette]

TWSTOber Day 22: Sharp

Pairings: Male Yuu x Silver with Lilia getting in the way.

“Looking sharp there, Angel.” Silver turned at the flirtatious tone. His heart leaped when he saw the figure it belonged to.

“Ah. Thanks, Yuu,” Silver replied, his gaze dropping to the side as he played with a strand of hair. “The costumes are based on the Longs of the East. Lord Malleus picked the theme.”

“Not what I meant, but eh,” Yuu shrugged, then gave Silver a lookover that sent a strange sensation throughout his body. “The costume does look great on you.” It was unusual to see the teen without Grim hovering around him and belting demands, but then again Silver supposed the same could be said about himself and Sebek.

Yuu gave Silver a grin that made the other heat up. “Then again, you could wear anything and it would suit you. Then again you could be wearing nothing and you’d look like a god. I know I’d worship you.” Silver coughed, trying to hide a flushing face.

“Thanks?” he said, not sure how to respond. He ran a hand over his neck as the back began to prickle slightly. “You look nice too.” Yuu lifted the black clock draped around him and made a face.

“Hah. I appreciate the thought of those guys, but they put more effort into Grim’s costume. I look like the Phantom Blot, white edition.” Silver tiled his head.

“Who?”

“Never mind.” Yuu started to slide closer to Silver but stopped before he got too close. His eyes darted side to side as his brow furrowed deeply. “Where Batman?” Silver blinked.

‘Batman?’ “You mean Lilia?” Silver then recalled that Yuu and Lilia were fairly close. Whenever he saw the two, they were roughhousing, just like Malleus and Leona. Yuu must have come here to find Lilia.

When he thought this, there was a slight pain in Silver's chest, but he ignored it. “Sorry to disappoint you, but he’s looking at the other attractions right now.”

“I see. And Crocodile Simp?”

“Sebek? He’s with Epel, I believe.”

“So, it’s just you?”

“Well, since Malleus is attending duties, I suppose so. Why?” Hearing this, Yuu’s entire being brightened like a jack ‘o lantern as he smiled broadly and he pulled himself to his full height.

“Oh, nothing!” He slid himself till he was side-by-side with Silver, his face beaming. Silver once again felt his heart jump at the proximity, and bats fluttered in his stomach.

“So, how’s your Halloween been so far—aside from the magicam beast, I mean?” Yuu asked conversationally, his smile shimmering. Silver didn’t understand why he was so happy, however, his expression brought a smile to Silver’s own face.

“I’ve had fun. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and I’m glad that people were impressed by the hard work that Malleus and the others put into the decorations.” Yuu cast a glance at the décor that dressed the Ramshackle dorm as if taking in the detail for the first time.

“Well, I’ll admit they do look pretty. Not as pretty as you but still.” Silver again.

“Th-that’s, um…”

“Heh. Nice to know I can leave you speechless.”

“Hm.” Silver didn’t speak, partly because he was sure he was being teased and partly because he didn’t know what to say.

An odd quiet fell between the two as the sound of the celebrations fell over them. This was one of the few times where Silver wished he was a man of words, like his father, as he felt he should say something but didn’t know what. It didn’t help that when he was around Yuu, Silver found himself becoming anxious, a feeling he never felt before.

‘I wonder why--’ Yuu interrupted his thoughts, his first word loud as a blast—which made Silver jump--before lowering.

“Well! Since it’s just the two of us, whaddya say I show you some over-the-top tricks and share special, one-of-a-kind treats?” As he spoke, Yuu leaned towards Silver’s face. Silver’s face changed color as Yuu’s breath tickled his ear.

“I, um, well--” Silver’s mind went blank and his tongue fumbled about at a loss as to what to do. “What—what kind of tricks… I mean, yes, I’d like to see them…” He was finally able to stutter back. He wanted to pull away as the closeness to Yuu seemed to make his brain shut down, however, at the same time, he didn’t. As shy as it made him feel, being so close made Silver feel—nice? Was that the word?

As embarrassed as Silver was, Yuu seemed to enjoy his expression as a devilish smirk crossed his features.

“Well, the first trick is—Ahh!” Yuu let out a loud yelp as he felt a sharp pain in his side, the hit that caused it knocking him through the air. Needless to say, Silver was startled as his eyes widened.

“Yuu?!” As Silver slipped into shock, a figure took Yuu’s place.

“I wouldn’t unless you want this night to become a gore fest,” Lilia said with a very pleasant smile that lit up his adorable features. Silver had to blink a few times as his brain loaded.

“Fa—Lilia?” Lilia beamed at him, his expression like one who hadn’t knocked a child into the fence of a haunted mansion.

“Hello, Silver! Sorry, I left you alone for so long!” he greeted,

“Ah, no, that’s...”

Off to the side, Yuu growled as he struggled to dislodge himself from the fence, which bent to accommodate his form.

“Fucking hell… Do you have fucking bat radar?!” he hissed, trying to move a leg. Still beaming, Lilia laughed at Yuu’s predicament.

“Kufufu! As a matter of fact, I do,” he told him, The light glinting of his smile. “And I’m very good at tracking so I can find you no matter where you go.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Rook Senior,” Yuu sneered.

“See that you do. Here, since you seem stuck, why don’t I help?”

Silver smiled slightly as he watched Lilia and Yuu exchange their friendly banter while the former helped dislodge the latter from the fence. He was glad the two were close as Lilia was the most important thing in the world to him, and Yuu… was becoming very dear to him. (Though he was worried about the two roughhousing so much. Lilia was far stronger than Yuu, after all.)

As he watched the two continue their “creative discussion,” a thought came to Silver’s mind.

‘How... close are they?’ He recalled something Ortho mentioned when he brought up the two.

“Maybe they like each other!” the robot boy had exclaimed. “The way they act reminds me of how two leads act in romance novels.”

‘Like each other...?’

Silver put a hand over his chest as a sharp feeling pierced his heart.

--

A/N: Silver couldn't be more wrong, lol. Poor Yuu.

I haven decided if I want to write a fic series with Yuu trying to woo Silver, only to be thwarted by Lilia at every turn, but I decided to use this prompt to play a little.

[nrc-broadcasting]

hey hey hey good morning or ig afternoon or night or evening depends on when you see this-

same anon who requested for Harlan here, the Siamese cat twins i mentioned are different ones! i understand the confusion tho and ig i shouldve mentioned who they were lol sorry- im pretty sure a LOT of people have ocs based on them- (if you're curious, their names are siddell and amani haha)

uh but,,,, another? if you dont mind sorry this is just fun-

≪✧≫

Hello uh haha how to tell a certain crocodile to please stop blabbing about Malleus all the time (no offense to Malleus he's wonderful) and to stop belittling humans all the time too because oh wow my self esteem going 📉📉📉📉 anyway thank you 🥲 ~ Y. "Akuma" Nakamoto

You Need To Calm Down; You’re Being Too Loud

⋆﹥━━━━━━━🎧━━━━━━━﹤⋆

“Ah. Zigvolt,” Yuu says unenthusiastically.

“Since you’re asking, I’m assuming you don’t want to confront him directly? I mean, I’d understand but I’d still want to confirm that this is what you’re doing,” They pause and stare at the ask, leaning back in their chair as they think.

“Anyways,” they shake their head and wave their hand, sitting up properly.

“He’d probably just run his mouth if you were to try and confront him, so it’s a hopeless approach.” They sigh.

“The solution I’d suggest is asking either Silver or Lilia to talk to him and try to make him a bit less… specist.” They hesitate.

“It’s an undeniable fact that he really does need to calm down sometimes. He’s more often than not a bit too loud, but maybe I just a bit less tolerance because I easily get headaches from loud sounds.” They shrug before humming.

“But if both the Lilia and Silver approaches don’t work, you can just subtly poke at his weak spots yourself. It either by point out the fact he’s also half human himself, or by implying he’s acting the exact opposite of how a royal retainer should.

“But take note this is a 50/50 thing. It’s either he finally clamps his mouth shut in horror and silently walks away to reflect,” Yuu takes a deep breath, exasperated at the thought of their next words.

“Or you end up lighting a bomb and he just gets more loud,” they smile awkwardly.

“Yep.” They purse their lips.

“Anyway, I’d suggest bringing Lilia along if you want to try, since he can rein in his son better than most people.”

“And to address the self esteem issue, I’d like to offer some words,” Yuu says.

“Sebek’s… questionable remarks undoubtedly stem from his own insecurities and anxieties due to being half-human. Yes, he’s hard to understand, but it’s very likely an unchecked defense mechanism.”

“He rejects humans because he thinks his heritage as a human makes faes look down at him. Since you have your own insecurities, another viable approach it to try and empathize with him.

“…which, will be another 50/50,” they scratch their head.

“Because it’s either he mellows out a bit and listens, or he gets offended you’re trying to compare what he thinks is your trivial problems to his.

“So again, if you plan to attempt any of these solutions, Lilia’s presence is kind of necessary.” They smile apologetically.

“Despite having called what I just discussed ‘solutions’, I’ll admit to you I also don’t know an effective way to approach Sebek.”

“The least I could do is suggest and simulate some situations where a confrontation takes place.”

“I sincerely hope this helps you. Sebek might be loud, but he isn’t unreasonable.”

“And please, have some confidence in yourself. That’s all from me for this ask,” Yuu smiles apologetically.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━🎧━━━━━━━﹤⋆

Our fairytale has come to an end.

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Scritches

Another one from Season of the Witch.

Link to Ao3 if you prefer to read it there.

ACCESS: RESTRICTED DECRYPTION KEY: L5F2H8AG12$IKO-006 REP#: 093-ATHENAEUM-DERELICT-AUDIO AGENT(S): AUN-326 SUBJ: VIP#1316 AND ERI-223 INTERACTIONS - SCRITCHES

RECORDING 81379.0 [BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

“Hey Moondust, I been meaning to ask you something.”

“Then why haven’t you?”

“It’s an invasive and highly personal question.”

“When has that ever stopped you before?”

“I don’t know. Don’t wanna actually offend you.”

“You offend me on a routine basis and delight in telling me how much you enjoy doing so. What is one more irritation? Speak.”

“The chitin. Does it itch?”

“What?”

“The chitin…”

“I heard you. Your ability to come up with the most unexpected and irrational things to be curious about never ceases to impress.”

“Well, does it?”

“When it first bursts from my flesh it is very painful. Each transformation is agony. But it is much like an extreme version of picking off a scab. It is… satisfying, in a way. When I first transform there are bits of my own viscera splattered on my exoskeleton. They dry. And then yes, once they dry, they do itch.”

“I remember this crocodile I knew once. Or maybe it was a alligator. I don’t know the difference. Badass fella in a swamp near where I lived at the time. I kept chickens and fed him some every once in a while, but not often. Didn’t want him getting too comfy, but I liked having him around. He had a bad temper and served as some unofficial extra security. Also garbage disposal, long as you broke the garbage’s legs first.”

“Hmmm…”

“Anyway, I was sweeping the front of my place this one time and he waddled up in a ‘I’m a giant lizard, watcha gonna do, gimme some chicken, or I’ll take a chunk offa you’ sorta mood. And I was also in a mood… a mood to not be putting up with that crocogator’s shit that day when he’d gone and tracked mud all over my porch, so I swept him.”

“You what?”

“I took the broom and I swept him. Like he was the floor.

I pushed pretty hard cuz he was all caked in half-dried mud and I swept the mud right offa him cuz he’d tracked it all over half my floor and he was just gonna track it all over the rest of the floor too if I didn’t do something about it.

And here’s the thing: He loved it. He loved it more than chicken. Got to the point where any time he’d hear me sweeping my front porch I’d hear a splash farther away in the swamp and he’d come up and lie in the sun, demanding I sweep him. I think he just itched all the time and that was the only time he got scritches.

That was a thing for years, that crocogator and I. Dunno what ever happened to him. I had to relocate rather quickly one day, as one does when one is in the line of work I have tended to find myself in over the years. I came back decades later and he was gone.

But the point of this story is, I know you’ve been a bit shy about being all chitin-y near me but like.. what if one day I brought a stiff brush and a bit of soapy water and just… scrubbed yer dried viscera off yer chitin for ya? I bet it’d feel nice. Soothe the itch.”

“I… I do not know how to respond to that.”

“You could just say yes.”

“No.”

“Aww…”

“However, the idea that you have clearly given this considerable thought is… bizarrely touching. You really are full of surprises.”

“Offer’s always open if you ever change your mind.”

“Hmmm…”

[END TRANSCRIPT]

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

I'm not sure they'd get a good score given their gremlin nature, but how about morgrem? I think they'd be neat to keep around if you've got a black thumb (like me lol), but idk.

Let me preface this by saying that I also love morgrems. I love the whole evolution line. That being said, I’m not so sure that keeping a morgrem as a pet would be the best idea.

Morgrems are a good size for a pet, pretty lightweight for their height. Unfortunately, they don’t seem particularly friendly. Disingenuous is the word I’d choose. These mischievous pokémon are quite intelligent, using their charm and crocodile tears to lure people into a false sense of security before striking (Shield, Sword). They are known to falsely apologize for attacking targets in order to bring them in close enough to stab with their “spear-like hair” (Sword). They also have a bit of a history of disappearing people into the woods for unknown reasons (Shield). Unfortunately, morgrems draw strength from negative emotions (Violet). This has made them pretty popular with trainers who tend to think on the gloomy side, but it also incentivizes them to keep an owner in a bad mood. They’re anti-emotional-support pets.

There is one silver lining to morgrems, which you pointed out in your request. Morgrems are said to have a peculiar ability to make crops grow (Shield). This will no doubt make them popular among those who struggle to keep plants alive (those with black thumbs, as you put it), who are willing to look past the species’ antisocial tendencies. This isn’t a very kind-hearted species, so they would likely need some coercion through treats and prizes to get them to help you. I’d say there’s probably other pokémon who would make better gardening partners, but if you love morgrem like I do you’ll be willing to look past that.

Thankfully, morgrems aren’t particularly lethal pokémon. There’s a reason that this species relies so much on trickery to get by: they’re not very confident in their combat abilities (Scarlet). Like the other species on their evolution line, morgrems have sharp, hardened hair that they can use as a weapon, specifically through the spear-like length on the back of their heads. Using this makeshift weapon, morgrems can use a variety of dark-type moves like Foul Play, Assurance, and their signature move False Surrender to menace enemies. We don’t really know if morgrems go out of their way to harm humans through violence, but we do know that you’ll never know when they’re tricking you into a false sense of security to strike. To put it simply, it’s difficult to trust a morgrem. They could hurt you pretty badly if they wanted to.

Morgrems are, at the very least, an acquired taste. While they seem to have the ability to help plants grow, they are sneaky tricksters with a spear built into their hair. My cat often goes into goblin-mode, but adopting an actual goblin might be a step too far. But hey, I love goblins. If you really want to make a pet morgrem work, you could, but they’re certainly not going to be the best fit for every home.

[count-alucard-tepes]

Op hottie s/o sits on their lap and says "my perfect ass is too good for a chair"

Kizaru ✨: “someone is so spicy today”

Akainu🌋: *smirks and rolls his eyes but doesn’t do anything to stop them*

Ryokugyu 🌱: “I know that’s right…”, *caresses S/O’s hips and ass*

Fujitora 🐅: *blushed and holds S/O close*

Sir Crocodile 🐊: “…you are such a riot sometimes…” *iconic laugh*

Doflamingo Donquixote 🦩: “This is where your ass belongs, baby” *smirks and caresses S/O’s butt.

Benn Beckman 🔫: *smirks and rolls his eyes before continuing to read*

Katakuri Charlotte 🍡: “…I have work to do you know…and this is distracting”, he says but does nothing to get his S/O off him.

Killer🔪: *blushed and caresses his S/O’s ass* “…you can always sit on me whenever you like, babe”

Kaido🐉: *chuckled and holds S/O* “…everything about you is perfect”

King 👑: *smirks and kisses S/O behind the ear* “…I could get used to this position…”

Queen👑: *smiles and holds his S/O* “…this is seat is always reserved for you, baby!”

Izou🔫🔫: *chuckled and cuddles S/O* “…youre sense of humor never ceases to amaze me”

Dragon D Monkey 🐉🐒: *smirks and caresses S/O’s ass with one hand while he reads a book with the other*

Oven Charlotte 🍞: *chuckles and hugs S/O close* “…you’re always welcome to sit in my lap, love”

Buggy🤡: *blushed and nuzzles S/O lovingly* “…hmm you fit perfectly too”

Marco the Phoenix 🦅: *chuckled and kisses along S/O’s neck* “…guess I’m not getting any work done now”

Eustass Kidd🤘🎸: *smirks and caresses the booty* “…I’d rather have you across my lap but I’ll take it for now”

Rosinantè Donquixote aka Cora-San💕: *blushes and cuddles S/O* “…you just want some sugar, isn’t that so?”

((This ended up being a spicy one haha😍🤣))

[bluebellhairpin]

Katsuki Bakugo X Reader

Summary: The heat of December is scorching, and on the hottest day - where you want nothing more than to crawl into a freezer and never come out - Katsuki drags you out to the beach.

Warnings: An Australian summer. You've adopted Katsuki's potty mouth.

Listening to: 'Heat Waves' by Glass Animals - "Road shimmer wiggling my vision, heat, heat waves I'm swimming in a mirror."

Series Masterlist || Masterlist || Ko-fi

Half the Shatterdome’s air conditioning went out and it was far too hot. 

You thought to yourself as you sat in the control room next to the only unoccupied desk fan in the facility, that you bet they never had such a problem at the Anchorage Shatterdome being too cold. At least they could always put on more clothes - when it gets hot you can only take so much off. 

You hadn’t seen Katsuki all day, and if he were anything like you he’d be looking for a cold spot but unlike you he’d probably have had the luck to have actually found some place with a nice cool breeze. You mostly hoped he’d stay away for today - you didn’t want to deal with this heat and his attitude all at once. 

He had gotten more bearable over the last few weeks - being deployed to fight a few times and a couple more test runs with the neural link had you both working together well. Knowing how his brain - being inside it - helped you understand and tolerate him much more than anyone else in the entire city, let alone the Shatterdome.

You doubt you’d have warmed up to him so fast if you didn’t. 

But that didn’t mean you would actively seek out his company on a day with weather that made you want to rip someone's throat out. 

The only thing you could think of being worse was a Kaiju attack was having to get stuffed into your pilot suit - which would be like trying to fit a latex bodysuit onto a cow. And even if you were sharing a brain, and tolerated him more than you were currently tolerating the sun, you doubted your ability to not argue long enough to get a kill in. 

A stack of papers landed on the desk beside your propped-up feet and you were met with Shinsou - a young LOCCENT transfer from Hong Kong with purple hair and cheeks like a cooked lobster. 

“Been out on the beach?” you asked, grabbing a booklet and fanning yourself with it since the desk fan was being useless. 

“No,” he grumbled before moving off to the water dispenser, “Just ran up to the helicopter pad for those.” 

“You don’t run in this weather mate, that's how you get heat stroke and die.” 

“Well tell that to your boyfriend.” he said, flopping in the seat next to yours and tipping half his cup down the front of his shirt. “Either he likes how hot it is or he’s gone insane.”

“What?” you barely conjured the energy to turn your head in shock. “I mean he’s normally a little shit, but like,” your voice lowered, “How bad is it?” 

“Man was up on the pad and soaking it all in like a solar panel.” Shinsou likewise was soaking up the mild breeze through his wet shirt. “He’s gonna die.” 

“Maybe I should rescue him.” you mused, although not wanting to move. “Can’t have my co-pilot shriveling up on me like a dried apricot.” 

“He didn’t look so bothered. I think he’s more reptile than he lets on.” 

“Maybe I could just call him here over the intercoms.” you altered your suggestion - the both of you now having separate conversations. “Make him come to me instead so I can check he’s still alive.” 

“Not a snake. But he's not much like a crocodile either.”

“I’d get in trouble though. Might get an exception because it’s so hot but.” 

“A dragon. Dragons are reptiles.” 

“What the fuck are you both talking about?” You dipped your head over the back of your seat to meet upside-down red eyes. Speak of the devil, and Katsuki appears. 

“I’m glad you’re here. Was thinking you had a death wish.” He frowned. 

“Why?”

“Because you were outside.” His frown only deepened.

“It’s nice out there.” He said, even if the sweat dripping down his forehead says otherwise as you scoffed. “Have you even been out there yet today?” 

“Unfortunately.” Shinsou muttered. 

“No I have not. But I can tell.” you sighed deeply, wishing the warm air did more to cool your lungs. “Live here long enough and you gain that ability.”

“Bullshit.” 

“You never believe me Katsu.” You raised your arms, letting the breeze hit all your sweaty spots. “It’s not fair.” 

“C’mon.” Katsuki said, rolling your chair out and practically pulling you to your feet. “We’re not on duty and I think you need to go somewhere to cool off. You're talking nonsense.” 

“But poor Shinsou -” 

“Yeah poor me, getting abandoned for air conditioning and -” 

“Leave him, you know I don’t socialize well.” Katsuki said. “Let’s go.”

Katsuki, despite the fact he had a strict stick up his arse, had commandeered one of the Shatterdome’s Jeeps, fastened you into the passenger seat with little fight. 

Not that you had the energy to kick and scream at him to leave you be like you wanted to. 

You had half a mind to ask where you were going, and another half to remind him which side of the road he was supposed to be driving on - America brainwashed you, you’d told him, and he slammed on the breaks at a red light as payback. It almost sent you to your death through the front windscreen as California Gurls played loudly from the radio. 

You almost died to Katy Perry, which would’ve been his fault, and you would’ve haunted him for forever. 

When he pulled up at Bondi Beach - of all the places - you crossed your arms. 

“Are you serious?” 

“Why wouldn’t I be?” 

“Bondi is so full of tourists,” you groaned, sulking into your seat, “I know we aren't the most popular Rangers, but if someone recognises us we won’t be left alone. A Ranger is still a Ranger.” 

“That’s why I’ve got these,” he reached behind him into the backseat and pulled out an array of clothing accessories, “Hide those pretty eyes and stuff your hair under that cap. No one will look twice.” 

You huffed in defeat, snatching a pair of too-big sunglasses and a cap with a bright orange X across the front from his hands. 

“Enough attitude, or I won’t get you ice cream like I planned to.” 

“Who are you, my dad?” you said, stepping out of the car and closing the door with a loud thud. 

“Sure ain’t.” Katsuki said, then a wicked grin grew on his face and you knew you were in for it. “But I’m sure I know as well as you do that you’d like calling me -”

“I am not listening to you! Not!” you said, stomping away and making a beeline for the water despite the fact you had to trudge through the heat past the carpark and sand, or that you had no swimmers on. 

He barked a laugh behind you, and you could tell - you knew it because you knew him that well already - that he was still looking at you. And you knew - because you did - that he’d get you your ‘pity me because of the heat’ ice cream no matter how you acted. 

That’s what happened when you were in someone's head. You knew what they thought about almost anything. You knew what he thought about you, despite how he tried to shove it off into the most unreachable corners of his mind. 

He liked you. You didn’t mind. 

[quinloki]

"I think that's a great fic idea" good news, it is, or something very similar. Inspiration is very clearly taken from @/turtletaubwrites series Numbers Game. The reader is a financial advisor who worked for Buggy, who then ends up under Croc and Mihawk because Buggy gets in trouble for ignoring her advice and fucking up the financials. Not trying to start anything, I don't think it's stealing to riff on smth but people should maybe be a bit more up front abt where they take inspiration from. At least give the OG a shout out lol

This is one of those things where there’s not an easy cut and dry answer I can give you or agree with, and I’m going to do my best to lay out why that is.

Is it possible the idea came from the person you’re referencing, but looking at the interactions for the first chapter I don’t see Alexa anywhere, not in the likes or comments.

I don’t even see anyone I follow in there either - which is to say that fandoms are HUGE and we don’t actually all know one another. (And that’s not to say there isn’t overlap in moots, just not with that particular story.)

Now, it’s possible there’s proof somewhere, but my point is that it is statistically just as possible that it’s just a similar idea. I wrote Quicksand’s reader as being a good office worker and coordinator - they weren’t specifically the accountant, but that could also be where the idea came from.

Reader being a competent and useful person makes sense when you’re talking about the Cross Guild. Neither Crocodile nor Mihawk are particularly patient people, and Buggy is enough frustration/comedic relief on his own.

If I shouted out to everyone who had inspired every part of what I write I’d hit tumblr’s post character limit before I got to the story itself. There’s a balance in there somewhere but it can honestly be case by case.

Despite your claim of not trying to start something it very much feels like you are, and while I appreciate you wanting to see credit given where it’s due, inspiration is so interwoven and complex, it’s hard to say exactly where an idea comes from for someone. So I’m going to assume that the vibes are unintentional - I’m sure you very much mean well. (If clarification is needed I’m not experiencing any negative emotions as I say this. I’m worried the vibes are there, but I will believe they were not meant.)

Heck, I had a story idea for a Eustass kid story I was (still am) excited about and when I shared it with my friends someone mentioned it was similar to something Mombat on Wattpad had wrote. And they’re right! The setup of the reader was similar - but I didn’t scrap the story idea because the story itself is going to be different.

And I know it is gonna be different, cause I had read that story by Mombat with my own eyes! And honestly it’s very likely where the inspiration sparked, even though I didn’t consciously make the connection until someone said something.

But there’s bound to be a lot of similar ideas in a singular fandom, because we’re all working with the same source material.

Now, I appreciate the intent, cause we all wanna look out for one another and such, but calling out possible sources of inspiration is maybe a bit much. Though I will say if there’s a dozen points of commonality, then it’s probably worth the mention.

here’s a bit of food for thought - Eustass Kid calling the reader Mouse is something I’m fairly well known for, and it wasn’t even my idea - and the friend I picked it up from had picked it up from someone else. Kaku calls reader Filly in most my one-shots but that’s from another friend. Penguin and Shachi calling reader lil’ Shoal was all my idea, but also I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else thought it up too.

Now, my long and exhausting reply aside, I do want to thank you for putting turtleaub on my radar. Her writing looks wonderful and I love how organized the blog and posts are. I am delighted to have something new to read even if my to read list is painfully long already. And there’s a possibility of making a new friend somewhere in there too \o/

[the-bar-sinister]

Sandstorms and Starfall (8000 words) by VickytheSnake, thesavagesabretooth Chapters: 2/15 Summary: When Vivi makes a midnight escape from the palace of Alabasta and flees the country in an attempt to get stronger and rejoin the Straw Hat pirates as a full crew member she finds herself unsure of her path forward. That is until a chance meeting brings her face to face with her former enemy, and former hero, Sir Crocodile who agrees to help her on her quest to find a devil fruit for herself.

It's surprisingly easy to make peace with the former warlord, if not to forgive or trust him. But the longer she spends around him, and the former Baroque Works agents helping her find her way through the Grand Line, the more she finds that the troubles in her heart are not the simple ones that she expected to be facing.

catch up here

-

"Have you been well?' Crocodile asked, politely and nonchalantly as he led her through the apparently normal basement below the brokerage. There were crates, and stored goods, and nothing apparently out of the ordinary.

Have you been well was rich coming from the guy who’d once cackled while aiming a giant cannon at the town square– but somehow it brought a laugh out of her.

“Have I been…I suppose so, yes. After you… left the country I …parted ways with the Straw Hat Pirates and my father asked me to take a bit more royal responsibility .”

Mostly that meant ‘look at these suitors and choose one to take the throne with’. Something she absolutely didn’t want to do. Not when the Straw Hats were waiting for her, and not even after. 

"Left the country," he chuckled with apparent good humor. "For my vacation home in Impel Down. Royal responsibilities, hmm? And are those what brought you here?"

“Vacation home…” She laughed politely, before folding her arms behind her back and leaning against a crate. “Not quite. Partially. I…” 

She frowned for a moment, thinking back to the crisis in Alabasta, but she pressed on. “I never left the Straw Hat Pirates. They actually asked me to come with them when they left Alabasta…but I was drawn back at the last moment.” 

"Oh?" he paused in front of an empty shelf by the wall and turned back to regard her with a curious look. "You were planning to sail away with pirates?"

She rubbed her arm, where the tattoo of the black X signifying their bond-– that they all were who they said they were-– still stood marked against the warm brown of her skin. 

“I was part of their crew, I am part of their crew. I’d been planning on leaving with them and seeing everything the Grand Line had to offer…but…”

At the last moment the weight of responsibility had crashed on her shoulders. The royal mantle, the speeches, her father’s expectations now that Alabasta was free of its hidden tyrant. “Alabasta needed its princess.” 

"Then why are you here now, princess?" 

It was a simple question, but Vivi could feel the weight in it. Crocodile knew what he was asking. He must have had a good inkling of what she'd say. She'd known him for a long time-– long before he was revealed as the dastardly Mr. Zero, when he had been Sir Crocodile, the hero of her country. And she knew what a cunning and insightful man he was.

Before she knew what he was doing to the people of Alabasta, she’d even respected and looked up to him. 

 She idly twisted her slasher around her finger.

“I didn’t need it. The crown. Being Princess. Father saw my whole life ahead of me, marriages and speeches and reveries, but the sea was calling out to me.”

She looked up at him as she continued. “I’ve regretted not leaping on that ship almost every day since. And then I saw…I saw what happened to Luffy at Marineford in the papers, and I knew I had to join them again. I had to find them and…and do whatever I could to help, as their crewmate and a fellow pirate.” With a shrug, she looked away. “So I ran away with Karoo and promised that I’d catch up with them…but I’m too weak. I’ve fallen behind them even more by now. I need something to make me stronger.” 

"My my, Miss Vivi. You never cease to surprise me. Marvelous. Just marvelous." As she turned back toward him she saw that Crocodile's curious expression broke out into a wide and toothy grin, like his namesake.

He pushed away the shelf, and revealed a hidden door, which he pulled open. The dark basement was filled with a wash of warm light, and Vivi could see a handsomely appointed room beyond it with a number of familiar faces.

She took a step towards it, enough to really peer inside with a quiet intake of breath. It was a damned Baroque Works reunion right under her nose. People she’d called false comrades and enemies alike…all gathered in the basement of her first hope for a Devil Fruit. 

Sitting around some low tables in the smoky private bar room were Daz Bones– Mr. 1, Marianne– Miss Goldenweek, and Zala– Miss Doublefinger. Her own former partner, Mr. 9, was not there. But then, there were lots of people missing.

"Huh," Daz said with a rare, wide grin. "Now there's an agent I didn't expect to show up."

Marianne had turned the full force of her strange and uncanny stare her way without a word– though she did wave pleasantly with what was just about a smile. Zala had turned in her chair with her long pipe raised to her lips with an amused look in her eyes.

“Our dear, elusive Miss Wednesday,” she purred as she blew curling, acrid smoke through her darkly painted lips. “It is a surprise.”

Vivi blinked, before she laughed awkwardly and eased her way into the room. 

“Trust me, the surprise goes both ways…is Mr. 9 not here?” it occurred to her she’d never learned his real name.

"If he's coming, he hasn't joined us yet," Daz shrugged. "Actually, everyone here only arrived today. Want a drink?"

It was strange the way they were all treating her as if her presence was normal. But then, what was normal with a group like this? And besides, their boss, Crocodile, was looming behind her with a smug grin on his face. So if they had any questions, they'd certainly save them for him.

In fact, though the question was undoubtedly aimed at her, she noticed Daz glance up at Crocodile past her-– perhaps looking for his permission if she said yes.

“Y-yeah. I’d love a drink. Thank you.” She paced slowly towards the table. It was like walking into a viper’s nest and finding yourself a welcome guest, or one of the vipers yourself.

Marianne sipped her drink and went back to drawing something on her sketchpad , seeming rather pleased with Vivi’s presence despite their limited interaction.

Zala was more vocal.

“Good. You missed out on the last company outing, after all.” She blew the smoke between her lips. “That one was less fun.”

"Sadly, it doesn't seem like Miss Wednesday will be joining us again," Crocodile said, striding over to the largest chair he'd clearly recently vacated, and draping himself over it. He picked up his half finished drink. "We ran into one another by coincidence."

"Coincidence?" Daz looked up from the bar where he was mixing her drink.

“Now that’s a shame. I’ve always wondered what a princess looked like when she went bad.” Zala purred as she peered at Vivi through long lashes.

Vivi flushed and ducked her head. “I’m not a princess. I’m a p-pirate. and I just happened to come here for some information on Devil Fruits. That’s all.”

“Devil Fruits….” Marianne spoke for the first time as she looked up from her drawing pad, grabbing a glass of what was clearly some hard spirit cocktail. “You’re interested in them?” 

Crocodile grinned even wider. "Apparently she's turning pirate-– and feels like she needs a little bit of an upgrade. Though who among us here can blame her?"

Daz shook his head as he brought her drink over and offered it to her. "I think our opinion's probably obvious."

Everyone in that room besides Vivi was a devil fruit user.

Marianne laughed into her drink. “As long as you don’t gotta swim there’s really nothing like it…” Her voice was quiet and deadpan as always.

“My my, our little Miss Wednesday is taking the bold step into a life of villainy, is she? It’s about time.” Zala leaned on her hand, spikes visible at the tips of her fingers as she watched Vivi with renewed curiosity

Vivi glanced off to the side with a puff of her cheeks. “I’d hardly call it a first, bold step. I’ve been a pirate before! And I did all sorts of things in the service of infiltrating Baroque Works!” She put her hands on her hips “I’m not going to be able to keep up with the Straw Hats like I am now. I’ve got to—”

“Oh…that makes sense.” Marianne’s quiet voice interrupted.

"It sure does," Crocodile said with a smile as he puffed on his cigar. "So you ran off from the palace all by yourself, to hunt down a devil fruit, get stronger, and join up with Straw Hat and his gang. Your father must be worried sick."

“I think he probably is.” Vivi finally took a seat at the table, as if she were still one of them. “No, I know he is— it only takes one look at the Marine presence everywhere I try to go to know that.”

Zala whistled low, and placed her pipe back between her lips. “Somehow I don’t think the boss is so worried about old Cobra’s mental health. He seems pretty damn amused. You’re not going to feel bad and go scampering home to Alabasta, Miss Wednesday?” 

Crocodile held his cigar in his hand, and watched her carefully as she answered Zala's question.

“What?? What do you mean by that, Miss Doublefinger?” Vivi’s hackles raised despite herself, but Zala held up her hand.

“Zala’s fine,” she purred. “All I’m saying is a pirate needs to have strong resolve. No criminal makes it anywhere in any line of work if they don’t got that. No crew needs someone who’s going to back out when things get tough and they start second guessing themselves.”

Vivi frowned deeply in response, her shoulders still raised in quiet anger as she composed herself. She loved her father. He was a good man; a kind leader, a staunch pacifist… a traditionalist…

Someone who saw her taking the crown of Alabasta like all her ancestors had, getting married, and continuing the same rule as all the rest. He’d be worried she ran off to become a pirate…of course he’d be worried. Angry even.

But to ask if she had the ‘resolve’ to be a pirate.

Her eyes narrowed. 

“Of course I have the resolve to be a pirate! I care for my father, but I’m not going to let him, or anyone make me something I’m not! If I say I’m a Straw Hat Pirate; if I left home to become strong enough to stand by their side through anything like Marineford that comes their way, then I’m not going to give up for anything! Not my father, not Alabasta…not Baroque Works!” 

Crocodile set his cigar down and slapped his hand several times on the arm of his chair, as if clapping. "Well said, Miss Vivi. Well said. I have to say, I've never known you to lack resolve in our interactions. Common sense maybe, but not resolve. Friends– I think if Miss Vivi has her heart set on a devil fruit, we ought to help her out."

Daz raised his eyebrows, looking over at his boss curiously.

Zala grinned widely behind her pipe, the smoke curling to half cover one of her sharp, keen eyes “I like you better this way, Wednesday.” She looked towards Crocodile. “You've got my help, boss.”

Marianne held up a rather beautiful picture towards Vivi, which made her double take. It was herself in pirate attire on a deck overlooking the crystal blue sea.

“Me too.”

Vivi blinked in surprise. “You— you’re really going to help? Do you know where I can find one then?” 

"That's the tricky part of the equation," Crocodile said, picking up his cigar again and flicking the ash in his ashtray. "Because sure, I could get you a fruit right now-– but it wouldn't be one you'd want to eat."

Daz snorted. "There are a lot of trash devil fruits out there."

“Really, really bad ones.” Marianne agreed. “Melty ones even.”

Vivi grimaced. “Oh. I mean, I’ve seen Luffy’s, and all yours seem pretty good…” 

"There's a guy in the Big Mom pirates who manifests cookies," Daz said, sipping his drink. "I've heard he uses it well, but." He shrugged, as if to say 'but it's still cookies'.

“C-cookies?” Vivi reeled “that’s absu–”

"And that doesn't even get into all the zoan type fruits you don't want," Crocodile said. "I doubt you want to eat something that turns you into a mouse, or an eel or something."

“Could a devil fruit turn you into an eel?” Marianne murmured softly into her drink. “The oceanic aversion thing would probably just kill you instantly.”

“There’s also some up and comer I hear who’s whole thing is he’s a human swamp.” Zala added. “Smells like one, made of mud. Not great, honestly.” 

"Goopy," Daz nodded. "Like that guy in Dressrosa who generates glue."

Crocodile nodded along. "Trust us, Miss Vivi, if you're going after a devil fruit, it pays to be picky."

Vivi grimaced as the possibilities played in her mind. Whenever she’d heard and read about the mysterious fruits that granted you powers straight out of myth and magic. They’d all sounded so grand. 

“Ew. I thought all the Devil Fruits were…broadly useful? Like being made of rubber, or turning into an animal, or sand…” 

"Well, doll, any devil fruit power has utility if you use it right, but some are just flat better than others," Crocodile snorted. "The ones you've seen? Some of the best of the best, and that's not by accident."

He gestured around the room.

“Dol,.” Vivi said dryly in response, feeling her face heat with the indignance of her former enemy calling her doll.  She shook her head. “So you tailor picked the devil fruits for your followers?” 

"My followers were tailor picked for their devil fruits, for the most part," he corrected.

“That’s right.” Zala leaned back in her chair, shooting spikes out to balance it as it tilted back on two legs “The best he could find…and I expect if you’re getting our help, it’ll be the same for you, Vivi~.”

“Maybe you’ll get an art power, like me.” Marianne murmured. “Those ones are fun.”

"I think we owe it to Miss Vivi to get her the best devil fruit we can find," Crocodile said, watching her intently as he leaned his chin on the crook of his hook. "Consider it my apology."

“An apology.” Zala chuckled, “I’d say it’s a pretty good one, boss.”

Vivi placed her hand to her chest. “...your apology. To me?”

She wasn’t sure if she could trust him. She couldn’t, right? He’d smiled to her before, been a trusted friend and hero for years before his sharp and brutal betrayal. That one horrible, nightmarish day played in her head— the chaos in the palace square, the feeling of his fingers around her throat...Pell…

There was no way she could trust him to really find her the best devil fruit he could for her. 

And yet.

“You promise you won’t pull any funny business? You’ll really help me to make up for…for everything? Why do you want to?” 

Crocodile puffed at his cigar thoughtfully, turning it between his thumb and forefinger. "No funny business. You have my word as a gentleman. As for why– I have no plans for the moment aside from rebuilding a new organization and shipping out of paradise. I might as well help an old friend at the same time."

Vivi was struck for a moment. Between ‘my word as a gentleman’ and ‘an old friend’, she simply couldn’t form the words.

She turned to her drink instead, taking a long gulp of it until she felt the ice fall to her lips.

“An old friend, huh?” 

"I'll understand if you'd prefer to continue to consider me an enemy," he shrugged. "It's entirely reasonable."

The barrier of his body between her and the navy men flashed in her mind again, and she felt the weight of her former ‘coworkers’ eyes, all of them enemies at the same time.

She lowered the glass from her lips before she stood sharply and marched around the table towards him with her lips in a firm, tense line.

Her cool gaze fell on him, her neck craned to look him in the eyes as she thrust her hand out towards him.

No matter the past, what had happened to her beloved Alabasta, her people— she couldn’t deny Sir Crocodile was her best bet at what she wanted. What she needed.

“We’ll see where we fall, Sir Crocodile. Until then— until then I’m putting my trust in you. No funny business.”

"No funny business," he repeated. His smile widened, and he glanced around at the other agents. "Alright, crew, sounds like it's time to start getting ourselves in gear."

"We'll need a ship, boss," Daz murmured. "That's first thing."

“Wish I had the devil fruit that makes your art come to life.” Marianne mused as she painted. “Just draw a ship.”

Zala stood in a smooth motion, hips swaying and smile sharp. “I doubt we have time to have a shipwright make one from scratch, right? I’ll saunter on down to the docks and get a list of ships for sale.” 

"Pay attention to the crew size we'll need for 'em," Daz nodded to Zala. "We're a pretty small operation for now."

Zala pulled her tightly curled hair back, binding it in a bouncy ponytail that she covered with a handkerchief from her pocket “When have I ever been known for my lack of sensibility, handsome?”

Vivi was pretty sure the answer was ‘when fighting Nami’ given how badly she seemed to underestimate the Straw Hat navigator.

“In combat.” Marianne said from her seat, seeming to mirror her own thoughts. “You get excited.” 

"She's not wrong," Daz said with a wry smirk. "I'll look into supplies in the meantime. Would you mind helping me out with that, Miss Goldenweek?"

“Tch.” Zala headed for the door, though as she passed Vivi could see her grinning.

Marianne nodded. “Of course. Easy.”

Vivi put her fingers to her lips as she watched. Everyone here was ready to leap into action, to set sail on a moment's notice. Her eyes trailed to Crocodile as the members of the former Baroque Works started to move. 

Crocodile sat there grinning as his agents lept into action. He puffed his cigar as the room started to empty out. As Daz passed him Crocodile said, "Have Louis pass a message to any more agents who stop in about where we're headed– and have him forward their information to us."

Daz nodded, and the serious faced man smiled. "Got it, boss. Glad to be back in action."

"Cheers, Number 1."

Despite herself, she couldn’t help a small and tentative smile. As evil as Baroque Works had been-– as cruel-– it was almost nostalgic. 

-

Soon enough, as the buzz of activity died, she found herself alone in the room with Crocodile-– a state of affairs that hadn't occurred in quite some time. The last time she could think of was at a party in the palace on one of the official festival days two years prior. They had found themselves outside on the veranda together, him, smoking, and her taking a short breather from her official duties.

It was a dark terrible irony that pervaded the memory. She was a young woman watching the water fountain below the palace veranda, telling the charming hero of Alabasta about just how exhausting holding court was– how tired she was of dancing with her suitors.

It wouldn’t be long after that the fountains would all dry up, and that smiling hero cast in the haze of his cigar smoke caught in the moonlight turned out to be the very man dragging the country into a long darkness it only barely escaped.

Vivi leaned against the back of one of the chairs as she watched him smoking once more, just like then but with far, far more context. 

"Freshen your drink, Miss Vivi?" Crocodile asked, just as she roused herself from her reverie. She realized a moment too late that she hadn’t spoken since Mr. 1 left.

“Oh!” She looked into her glass, ice mostly melted into a hazy swirl of leftover alcohol and chilled water.

“Might as well, right? We’re going to be shipping out soon, it’s not like the drinks are going to flow freely on the open sea.” 

"No?" Crocodile stood up and holding out his hand for her glass. "The sea isn't as dry as you think. I might need a stiff one in me to get on board."

He chuckled in an almost self-effacing way, in stark contrast to the way she'd last encountered him. Much more like the charming hero of Alabasta.

It made something inside her twist painfully as she handed him her glass. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt it. When she’d first figured out the identity of Mr Zero-– the same sharp ache plagued her for days.

She bit her lip thoughtfully, before she asked. “Does the sea make you nervous, Sir Crocodile?” 

"I have a healthy fear of the sea, Miss Vivi." He set her glass down on the bar, and twisted open the bottle with one hand. "You will too, if you carry through with this idea of yours."

“Because the sea curses anyone who eats a devil fruit, right? It tries to swallow them whole the moment it touches them.” She’d heard it from so many people. Pell used to tell her about the sea’s wrath to keep her from ever eating one of the devil’s bargains. It was a story to frighten children…

But at the same time, one she knew was incredibly true. She'd seen it first hand.

He nodded quite seriously as he brought her drink back, a distant look in his eyes. 

"It's a hell of a trade, you know. Power. Great power, in some cases. But the water will swallow you without a second thought. You fall overboard and no one spots you? That's the end. Hell– you sit too deep in the bath and you might need somebody to help you up."

That wasn't even mentioning Crocodile's personal weakness to water, which ran further even than most devil fruit users. The man who embodied the desert sands.

Luffy had fought him back with Alabasta’s most precious resource– it’s dwindling water supply. In the face of water, an unbeatable element became a mortal once more.

Every devil fruit had a weakness, and every devil fruit user had to fear the sea. Her fingers clutched tight to her chest again as she nodded. “Water becomes your greatest weakness and in a world like ours, it’s a dangerous trade.” 

"Most of the world is water," he agreed, sitting back down in the chair nearer to her. "And I'll tell you-– it's hard to maintain an optimistic disposition in a world that mostly wants to kill you."

He picked up his cigar again and it hung in his mouth as he relit it. His words, despite their almost humorous tone, held as much admission as they did warning.

VIvi’s eyes flicked down briefly as she let it sink in. “It’s enough to make a man desperate, I’d bet.” 

"It doesn't help, that's for certain." He shifted forward toward her, his arms on his knees. "I wasn't going to ask again in front of my crew. Are you sure about this, Miss Vivi? Running away and playing pirate is something you can come back from. But your goal…"

He let it hang in the air.

He didn't need to say it. There was no coming back from it.

It was a one way path away from everything she’d ever known. 

“I’m positive, Crocodile. I’ll be honest with you; part of the reason is because I can’t come back from it. If I were happy in my palace, as the smiling princess in my oasis city, I’d never have considered it.” She frowned as she pushed her azure hair from her face and looked up at him. “It’s a clean break. I don’t care if the world itself hates me and wants to drag me into the sea, I will become stronger…and I will help Straw Hat Luffy become the pirate king. Princess Vivi Nefertari was left back in Alabasta. This is my choice. My freedom. I know what I’m cutting myself off from.”

Crocodile nodded, his endless black eyes as serious as they were dark. 

"I won't ask you again, then. We'll find you a fruit that's worth the life of a princess."

The worth of the life of a princess. What had that been when he had dropped her from his grip to the sands below?

Did it matter?

She pushed away the vertigo that came from the visceral memory of her drop from the palace walls.

What was the worth of a princess’ life? Maybe it didn’t matter at all.

“Cheers then, Sir Crocodile. To the value of a princess’ life and a future as a pirate.” 

[reluctantjoe]

Mathew Baynton: ‘I’ve never done any Shakespeare – although I’ve played the man himself’

Best known as part of the troupe behind hit TV series Horrible Histories and Ghosts, Mathew Baynton tells Fergus Morgan about returning to the stage – in the RSC’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream – and how his Bottom will be sweet and sincere

Actor and writer Mathew Baynton will be familiar to most from his screen roles – as Deano in Gavin and Stacey, Simon in Peep Show and as lovelorn 19th-century poet Thomas Thorne in BBC One’s much-loved and recently concluded sitcom Ghosts. In fact, television has taken up most of Baynton’s time lately. When he steps on stage as Bottom in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream later this month, it will be his first theatrical role in more than a decade.

“I never made a conscious decision to do less theatre,” Baynton says. “There has been stuff that never worked out, some near misses that didn’t happen and it ended up being 10 years. I love Shakespeare but I’ve never had the chance to do any, although I’ve played the man himself a couple of times. I have had that Uncle Monty realisation from Withnail and I that I will never play Romeo or Hamlet, but there are loads of great Shakespeare roles that I want to do, such as this one.”

Born in 1980, Baynton grew up in Southend-on-Sea. He was “comedy obsessed” as a child – “I used to have everything from Blackadder to French and Saunders on VHS,” he remembers – then became interested in the physical theatre comedy of troupes such as Peepolykus and Spymonkey. He completed a degree in directing at Rose Bruford College, then travelled to Paris to train at the prestigious Ecole Philippe Gaulier school. 

In 2009, he collaborated with five other comedians – Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond – on the CBBC sketch show Horrible Histories. The six of them subsequently formed the collective Them There, and went on to create the series Yonderland and Ghosts. Baynton also co-wrote the 2013 comedy The Wrong Mans with James Corden, and stars in recent blockbuster Wonka as a conniving chocolatier. He lives in London with his wife and children.

“Every influence I’ve ever had is in there somewhere,” Baynton says, when asked about his approach to comedy. “In some ways, though, the older I get, the more I think that being funny is almost innate. It feels like a rarer quality than any other. It is hard to teach someone who has no funny bones to be funny. Ultimately, I just like collaborating in a room with like-minded people, trying to make stuff funnier and better. It feels natural to me. It feels not dissimilar to playing in a band.”

What production made you fall in love with theatre?

I had a wonderful theatre studies teacher called Mr Valencia, who borrowed the school minibus and drove us into London to see shows. He took us to some absolute crackers. One that stands out in particular is Complicité’s The Street of Crocodiles. That blew my mind.

What are you finding inspiring at the moment?

I’m an avid consumer of all kinds of art. I like discovering new things. I don’t get to the theatre as much as I’d like to, though. The most amazing show I saw recently was Accidental Death of an Anarchist starring Daniel Rigby and written by Tom Basden. That was completely inspiring.

What do you wish you could change about the performing arts industry?

Firstly, tickets are way too expensive. Secondly, access to our industries is really difficult. We lose an awful lot of voices that would enrich our industry because they can’t afford a career in the arts.

What is the worst thing that has happened to you on stage?

I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. On television, you can corpse and do another take. On stage, there is that hot panic when you realise you can’t hold on. I don’t think it will matter too much if that happens in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It would be different if I was playing Macbeth.

What is the best thing that has happened to you on stage?

I’m lucky that I have been able to work with some of my heroes. To pick a recent example, on the first day of shooting for Wonka, I was in a green room at St Paul’s Cathedral with Rowan Atkinson. I was sat there with Blackadder. That was a pinch-me moment.

What role do you really want to play?

There are loads. I’m hungry to do lots of stuff, not just comedy. I’d love to play Malvolio one day. I was asked this question on the red carpet for Wonka, and I said that I would love to play Jack Skellington if they ever did a stage adaptation of the Tim Burton film The Nightmare Before Christmas.

What projects are you involved in at the moment?

I’m playing Bottom with the Royal Shakespeare Company until the end of March. My Bottom does have some similarities to Thomas in Ghosts. I look a lot like him, I suppose, and I’m playing him with sincerity, too. Bottom is just really, really keen on putting on a show and there is something sweet and interesting about that.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from January 30 to March 30: rsc.org.uk